Inspiration comes from many life experiences, both present and past.  For local stained glass artist, Marlene Zullig, it came to her as a child from her two grandmothers--Eveline Martin and Rosanna Story.

Marlene's maternal grandmother, Evelina, was a Renaissance woman who could create with her hands just about anything she could imagine.  She was a master quilter who designed and made hundreds of handmade quilts from scraps of fabric.  Marlene remembers watching her create fabulous quilts, putting together shapes of all sizes and colors that she meticulously cut by hand.   Little did Marlene know then that in the future she would be creating stained glass art by hand cutting pieces of glass in all sizes and colors that she meticulously cut by hand!  Marlene's paternal grandmother, Rosanna, was the person who always encouraged her to reach beyond and think outside the box, and use her talents in creative ways.

If you ask Marlene, she will tell you that there was never a time in her life that she wasn't creating art starting with crayons, watercolor, acrylic, and oil, but when she was first introduced to the art of stained glass while living and working in Switzerland--Eureka!!  This was when she realized the connection between her grandmother's art and her new found art of stained glass.  Stained glass is similar in many ways to hand quilting in that each piece is individually cut out and pieced together in a way that creates beautiful art.  She never looked back.  Marlene trained in Basil, Switzerland, initially, and went on to train in New Jersey and later in New York.  She also loves creating jewelry from sea glass, sterling silver, and genuine gemstones.  To her, nothing could be better!

Today, most of her inspiration comes from living in the beautiful and historic St. Augustine area.  Much of her art revolves around the ocean and sea life.  Her art is an eclectic mix of functional art--lamps mosaic mirrors, and one-of-a-kind stained glass panels and windows.

Marlene is a member and President of P.A.St.A. Art Gallery and the St. Augustine Art Association.